On Tuesday 22 November, the Slovak Presidency of the Council, and the European Parliament, reached a final agreement on the draft regulation proposed by the European Commission in March 2013 to cut off the funding of armed and military groups in conflict zones – the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region in particular – from the mining and sales of tin, gold, tantalum and tungsten. An agreement in principle was reached on 16 June (see EUROPE 11574).
"We have a new legislative text that will allow us to be more effective in cutting off the money to armed groups in conflict zones. This sends out a clear signal that the trade policy of the EU is a policy conducted on the basis of values", the chair of the 'international trade' committee of the EP, Berd Lande (S&D, Germany), told the press.
"This text gives us the capacity to act and from it stems the shared responsibility we now have. All players in the supply chain must get on board this effort. This is part of an integrated approach", added the rapporteur, Iuliu Winkler (EPP, Romania).
"The rules we agreed upon today are a huge step forward in our efforts to stop human rights abuses and armed conflict financed by the trade in minerals. I'm convinced that it will have real impact on the ground, for the people suffering from such conflicts. I sincerely hope that the EU model will now set an example for other countries to follow", commented the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström.
"Today proves our determination to strengthen our efforts to prevent armed conflict around the world from using trade in minerals to finance their activities and propagate conflict. This regulation will put into practice the EU's commitments to this effect. At the same time, there will be no additional red tape for European countries that trade respecting the rules, while EU citizens can be assured that their purchases do not affect human rights in conflict-ridden countries", said the Slovak Minister of the Economy and President of the Council, Peter Žiga.
The final inter-institutional agreement has still to be confirmed by member states. The Slovak Presidency is expected to present the text agreed upon the approval of the ambassadors of the member states (Coreper) on 7 December. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)